New Pap Testing Guidelines

Christina S. Chu, MD, Assistant Professor of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, responds:

The new guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend screening for cervical cancer

to start at age 21

between the ages of 21 and 29, women should have paps every 2 years

after the age of 30, women who have had 3 consecutive normal paps can have pap testing every 3 years.

Women with risk factors (HIV infection, immunosuppression due to organ transplant, those who were exposed to DES in utero, and those who have a history of mild to moderate dysplasia) should continue to have yearly paps.